“Now we must see the pledges translated into the scaled up action the people of Yemen need and deserve” - UN Secretary-General

International donors today pledged nearly US$1.1 billion to help scale up life-saving aid to millions of people in need in Yemen during a pledging event in Geneva, co-chaired by the United Nations, Sweden and Switzerland.

Six reasons why the Yemen Pledging Conference could help prevent more deaths and reduce avoidable human suffering

Yemen is experiencing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Close to 19 million people—two thirds of the population—need humanitarian assistance and protection. These people include more than 10 million extremely vulnerable Yeminis who require immediate assistance. A child under age 5 now dies every 10 minutes of preventable causes.

Halima trekked for four days in search of water and grass for her family’s livestock. Credit: IOM/Mary-Sanyu Osire

Young Halima has trekked for four days and nights in search of water. “We have named this drought Odi Kawayn, which is Somali for “something bigger than the elders,” she said. “None of our elders has ever seen a drought as severe as this one.”